OOC: House Millithor in COSQ part 4

[Endur]

If they hit a target, it might be difficult to regain balance to fly after the hit; if they miss a target, they may be able to continue flying and avoid the river.

If they hit the target, that might force them into gaseous form, in which case they probably won't fall into the river.

Even if they hit a target and aren't forced into gaseous form, they could still turn to gaseous form, presuming they get a standard action before they hit the water. Depending on the height and how fast they are falling, they might get a standard action.

Its just like parachuting, the trick is to pull the cord at the right moment. Only in this case, you are hitting the ground first, then pulling the cord after you hit the ground before hitting a second ground.

But, even if they can physically accomplish all of this, it does not mean they want to do it. Vampires generally do not want to be driven below zero hit points or risk falling into water or being exposed to sunlight.

 

[Pyrex]

It's not really death when they can and will rise again.

That doesn't mean it doesn't hurt. I can't say as I would think much of making suicide attacks against superior foes every d4 days either.

 

[Serpenteye]

It's not really death when they can and will rise again.

That doesn't mean it doesn't hurt. I can't say as I would think much of making suicide attacks against superior foes every d4 days either.

Me neither, good thing that their opinions don't matter.

 

[Serpenteye]

How far can Dire Bats fly/fall in a round? Their base move is 40 x2 is 80, x4 for running is 320... and perhaps an extra x to account for the fact that they are diving...

Anyway, say that they can fly/fall 320 feet in a round, and start their fall 300 feet above the heroes they will each do 30d6 damage per impact, an average damage of 105 hp. Say we have 9 vampires in the strike force (the exact number will depend on when the attack comes) then we should be able to kill at least half of our enemies in one fell swoop and seriously wound the rest.

 

[Xael]

Correction: It's not every d4 days. It's every hour.

The Matron does not know about Icho, the invisible and inaudible familiar that Quertus has acquired, but presuming that Quertus mentioned to the Matron that he has some abyssal contacts...

Quertus probably would have mentioned something like that. He doesn't really consider Icho as a secret, but why bother Matron and others with unneeded details...

 

[Pyrex]

Flying creatures move double their speed when diving. A 'Run' action has to be in a straight line, so in order to actually strike their target they'd probably double-move at double-speed so with a base move of 40' they could (effectively) Charge 160' down and slam into their target.

I'm still not certain that it's entirely reasonable to treat diving creatures as falling objects though.

(Now, if you wanted to have the DireBatVampires start dropping heavy rocks...)

 

[Endur]

shhhh. No need to give the Matron extra ideas. With regards to the dive, I agree, however, the idea was that they wouldn't really be diving, as that implies control, instead they would cease flying and just go into free fall until they hit maximum velocity.

(Now, if you wanted to have the DireBatVampires start dropping heavy rocks...)

 

[Serpenteye]

Flying creatures move double their speed when diving. A 'Run' action has to be in a straight line, so in order to actually strike their target they'd probably double-move at double-speed so with a base move of 40' they could (effectively) Charge 160' down and slam into their target.

Can't a straight line be vertical? (or nearly vertical since they might have to angle their descent slightly to hit on the mark)

I'm still not certain that it's entirely reasonable to treat diving creatures as falling objects though.

From a mechanical and logical standpoint I don't see why not, the only reason it might be questionable would be game-balance (and you know how much I care about that ). Let's face it, we cannot win this battle if we play it fair. Even if we manage to defeat the enemy it will cost us too much. We have to play dirty.

(Now, if you wanted to have the DireBatVampires start dropping heavy rocks...)

Which they would have to make an attack to hit with, against the formidable AC of the heroes. There is no defence against a Bull Rush, only an aoo.

 

[Serpenteye]

With regards to the dive, I agree, however, the idea was that they wouldn't really be diving, as that implies control, instead they would cease flying and just go into free fall until they hit maximum velocity.

No, no, that was never the idea. The idea was that they would descend at maximum velocity and use their wings to direct and speed the fall. Think of it as a running Bull-Rush downhill.
Wether you call it flying or falling the energy of the impact and ergo the damage will be the same.

 

[Pyrex]

The straight line can be vertical, but if they maintain some control (i.e. double-move instead of run) they're more likely to hit their target.

Also, per the rules, they can actually dive (160' as a double-move or 320' as a run) further than they can fall (150' in the first round).

Also, to Bull Rush, they have to charge which puts them back at 160' of movement.